Worship with us virtually on facebook live Sundays at 11am. We will alert you when we are ready to resume in person worship.
As your session met on June 8th, we discerned, prayed and adopted some guidelines about how we will plan to resume in person worship activities. Please know we have read many articles and studies, carefully discussed and considered our possibilities and options, and offer these guidelines for our return to in person worship, with humility and understanding that in this uncertain climate resuming in person activities for you at this time may not be possible. Be assured that part of our return includes continuing to offer virtual worship options as well. We ask that you continue to be in prayer for our community as we work towards a new normal and way of being church together, even while apart.
Phase II – re-entry with precautions
Phase II – re-entry with precautions
- Greeter will be stationed at a table outside passing out masks if needed; and one will be stationed at door to open door for congregants.
- Signage will be placed at entrance regarding safe processes and practices
- Require mask; kindly and compassionately explain to anyone refusing to wear mask that it is a requirement to enter the church building
- Mask are required for children and adults over age 8, and recommend for children, as able
- Hand hygiene stations upon entry and in the worship space for people to access
- Seating will be arranged at least 6ft apart and arranged in family units
- No singing; soft humming only
- Soloist in narthex
- Responsive reading – congregation will be asked to speak softly
- Pulpit designated for preacher only
- Lectern with microphone on the floor for the liturgist.
- Children’s moment – no gathering at front; leader will read to the entire congregation.
- Separate nursery rooms will be available for families to go as necessary
- Offering – box or basket will be placed in a the sanctuary/chapel in a designated place for those who wish to give; the offering time will be a time to think meditatively about the work of the church
- Passing of the peace – explore different ways to acknowledge one another without movement around the sanctuary/chapel or touching; will try different activities (i.e. waves, nods) and decide what is most comfortable for the congregation.
- No food (coffee, donuts, fellowship oriented food) in Phase II
- Pre-set bulletins, printed music, and printed bible verses on chairs before worship; bibles and hymnals will not be passed out.
- Dismissal by rows; request will be made that people immediately exit the building; no socializing in the building after the worship service.
- Purchase camera to set up live streaming for those members who are not comfortable with returning to in-person worship in Phase II.
- We plan to align our re-entry with re-entry into our beloved sanctuary space. Even if our worship together feels restricted by following safety protocols, we will feel uplifted by a joyful return to our sanctuary.
- We are aiming for July, and will alert you to the exact date within two weeks of our return.